Ternos from their tops to bottoms nowadays take on a timely twist

Words Maria Sophia Andrea E. Rosello
Featured photo courtesy of Vania Romoff via Instagram
June 14, 2024

The terno, a long-standing symbol of Filipino elegance, is experiencing a renaissance. Modern Filipiniana designers are reimagining this classic attire, focusing on elements like the Camisa (the translucent blouse) or the Pańuelo (the top), breathing new life into its silhouette and injecting it with their own artistic flair.

Glorious Dias

A Vintage Treasure Trove

Glorious Dias offers a captivating curation of vintage clothing, with Filipiniana pieces as the stars of the show. While there aren’t many specifics of their Filipiniana design, it is still a haven for those seeking one-of-a-kind pieces.

Imagine discovering a reworked vintage terno lined with delicate lace details or a Filipiniana blouse boasting a touch of bygone-era embroidery. Simply browsing their online collection could excite any vintage enthusiast and modern Filipiniana lover alike.

Narra Studio

The Storytellers of Modern Heirlooms

Like a tale as old as time, Narra Studio goes beyond simply designing clothes; they craft narratives. Their modern Filipiniana collection reimagines classic terno elements and silhouettes for a contemporary audience.

Think of them as contemporary writers and curators of Philippine fashion, preserving heritage by incorporating traditional design techniques. However, their designs don't necessarily linger in the past – more often than not, they infuse modern cuts and silhouettes into the classic look, ensuring these pieces resonate with today's style sensibilities.

Vania Romoff

Unveiling the Minimalist Muse

Vania Romoff does not present her Filipiniana on her website, but one gets a sense of her overall design philosophy. She makes "modern, minimalistic, and chic" pieces. Given this, her idea of a Filipiniana would likely feature clean lines and uncluttered silhouettes, with perhaps a delicate nod to traditional terno elements like butterfly sleeves or a piña overlay.

Daryl Maat

The Rebellious Rulebreaker

For designer Daryl Maat, the Filipino traditional costume is a site of artistic exploration. He defies conventions in terms of material, using pad paper as the canvas for his barong – with equally bold embroidery designs. These include historic figures such as Lapu-Lapu and even robots.

Imagine a barong scribbled with a brightly colored rendering of a mythical creature, or a camisa (for women) or barong (for men) with animated, manga-like embroidery. That is the type of boundary-pushing creativity Maat brings.

His work gets the conversation going, turning heads and sparking discussions about tradition and innovation.

Tygie

Everyday Elegance Woven with Love

According to Tygie, Filipino beauty should be celebrated every day. Teodora Gonzales, or “TG,” is very much into the modern Filipiniana piece, describing it as “uplifting,” given how respectable and homegrown it can make a Filipina feel. High-quality Philippine-woven materials are used and sourced domestically, like hablon or piña. This gives the pieces a touch of cultural pride, breathability, and comfort, making their ternos perfect for daily wear.

Whether it's brunch or a casual evening, Tygie remains the modern Filipiniana of choice to express one's heritage beautifully and confidently.

These five designers are just a few examples of what makes the world of modern Filipiniana such an exciting place to be. All of them bring their unique perspectives, artistry, and visions to this already hallowed Filipino garment. The next time you want a show-stopping piece that manifests Filipino heritage while embracing stunning design, look no further than the world of modern Filipiniana designers.